The Pony Stampede Hilltop Review 8/5

2017 offensive tackle visits SMU

Most high school players being recruited by college teams begin the recruitment process earlier rather than later, but that is not the case for 2017 Independence (Tex.) offensive tackle Jason Moore.

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Moore is heading into his senior season, but this is his first summer visiting colleges.

The lineman has visit school like Memphis, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Army, among others, but one of his most recent stops was on the Hilltop almost two weeks ago.

While at SMU, Moore met with his recruiter, Jess Loepp, and offensive line coach Dustin Fry, and the rising senior enjoyed getting to know the duo.

“They are very respectful and upfront with me,” Moore said. “A lot of coaches have beat around the bush but I love how they do things. Coach Fry has a very laid back style and I like that. I’ve visited with about nine coaches this summer, and he is among the best.”

At just 16 years old, Moore’s athleticism and mobility impressed Fry.

At my size, my ability to move intrigues him, but he basically said he wants to watch specifically my first game to see how my playing ability out of pads translates to in pads,” Moore said.

Since Moore is relatively new to the recruiting process, his goal has been to make good first impressions, but the lineman admits he feels behind the eight ball at times.

“My playing ability has improved in the last year, but most kids have been going to camps since their freshmen years so coaches know them,” Moore explained. “I feel like if coaches had their eyes on me before, I’d have some more looks.”

Moore still holds offers from Army, New Mexico and Cornell already, but he is confident more offers will come in before he makes decision in October or November.

With a variety of schools knocking at his door, like Colorado State, Colorado and SMU, there are still a number of qualities that are musts.

“The school I decide to go to needs to have an established med school program, because I want to be a doctor,” the Frisco native said. “I also want to make sure the school has a good football to school ratio.

4-star defensive back talks barbecue visit

By: Demetrio Teniente

Two weeks ago, Gemon Green visited SMU during the Mustangs gigantic cookout with a number of recruits, commits and their families.

While he was there, the 2018 Desoto cornerback picked up his fourth offer.

“I was surprised,” Green said. “It was a great feeling. I never thought I would get all these offers. I have more to come, hopefully.”

The 6-1, 170 pound corner holds offers from Colorado, New Mexico, Fresno , and now SMU. His first offer came from Colorado in early April.

“It felt good getting that first offer,” Green said. “I was proud of myself, but I was also thankful for my team because they’ve helped me get to where I am.”

Green found out about his latest offer from SMU’s assistant coach Claude Mathis, who coached at Desoto High School before joining Chad Morris’ staff to coach running backs.

“I talk to him a lot because he used to coach at our school,” Green said. “We have a good relationship.”

SMU currently has two of Green’s former teammates in Kevin Thomas and James Proche.

“SMU has some good receivers,” Green said. “They are going to have a good season this year. James Proche and Thomas are going to show out this year—all of them are going to show out and prove a lot of people wrong.”

Desoto recently competed in the Texas State 7-on-7 tournament in College Station, falling to The Woodlands in the semifinals 32-26.

“It was a good experience though,” Green said. “We are going to be ready for the season, because it has really helped us sharpen up the passing game. But we got a lot to show with the running game too.”

With most schools beginning practice next week, Green is turning all of his focus to the upcoming season. While he does plan on visiting SMU for one of its first two home games, nothing is set in stone just yet.

3-star power forward talks SMU offer

By: Andrew Hattersley

After an impressive July live period, 2017 Atascocita High School (TX.) power forward Fabian White was pleased to receive an offer from one of his top schools, SMU.

“It feels great to get an offer from SMU, they are probably one of the top schools on my list so it feels good,” White said.

Coach Jankovich and White have developed a good relationship so far with the 6-7, 210-pound forward loving his style of play.

“They feel like they can win a national championship with the team that they have and if I come I will help them get to that goal,” White said, “It’s going to be fast paced just how I like it though, it’s just up and down.”

White has also been impressed with the way coach Jankovich communicates with him and makes him a priority every time but is still interested to see how he will do as a coach.

“He treats me like I’m his number one priority so that’s what I appreciate about him but that’s about it,” White said, “I haven’t really seen him coach.”

White currently has offers from Iowa State, Arkansas, UTA, TCU, FIU, Florida Gulf Coast, Boise State, Houston, Creight and UTSA but has also received interest from Texas Tech and Baylor.

The Houston product will be taking a visit up to SMU in September and then again for one of SMU’s games later in the year.

When White ultimately does decide on a school, play style, the coaching staff and the opportunity to play as a freshman are going to be key.

“The coaching staff, the style of play and if I can play as a freshman,” White said.

2018 four-star small forward talks SMU interest, injury

By: Billy Embody

For 2018 Denton (Tex.) Guyer small forward Grayson Carter had a summer to forget overall with a broken ankle keeping him off the court entirely, but he's been continuing to get interest from schools from around the country including LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, Iowa State, Houston and Oklahoma State.

SMU though continues to show Carter plenty of love and a big reason why he's high on SMU is his relationship with KT Turner.

"We don't even talk about basketball too much. He knows how to speak the language and it's more like talking to a friend rather than a coach," Carter said.

Carter says the resignation of Larry Brown isn't a big deal to him as long as the team keeps winning. The way they've done it so far, has impressed the 6-7, 210-pound forward.

"They just share the ball and play hard. They keep telling me to keep my head straight and to keep working hard," Carter said.

Carter broke his ankle, but it wasn't until a month into rehab that he found out he'd need surgery and says he'll be now back in about a month to playing full-time. The injury was in March.

That leaves Carter to perform during his high school season at his new school, Denton (Tex.) Guyer, with fellow SMU offer and 2019 point guard De'Vion Harmon, who he's close friends with.

"He can really play and get you the ball. He can score, but he'd definitely a pass-first point guard."

Carter plans to try to trim his list after his high school season and SMU is certainly one to make it.